Donington - No Limits Track Day

Booked myself into the intermediate group, the weather looked to be picking up by Friday so I thought it might be my last opportunity this year to have a day out on the NC30.

Coppice

Early start to get down to Donington by 7:30am for sign in and riders meeting. Although the sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky the track was very wet. The first two sessions were wet, everyone was being very careful and not taking any risks.

In the third session a dry line started to appear and with it some grip. As speeds increased so did the incidents, I think most of the dry sessions were red flagged! By the fourth session the track was pretty dry and I was starting to ride faster.

Melbourne

All afternoon the weather stayed fine and I got more and more confident. Getting Redgate right and keeping low on the bike heading through Hollywood, dropping down the hill through Craner Curves is a great feeling. The Old Hairpin is a faster bend than it's name suggests. Starkeys is very fast and I had to be careful at Schwantz Curve, making sure I could get rid of speed for Macleans.

Goddards

I enjoyed the up hill blind entry to Coppice, although unsighted I was quickly confident about hitting this fast. Some of the blind places at Oulton Park are more difficult to get right. I enjoyed exiting Coppice onto the straight. Braking for the Esses was a challenge, and I never got the left, right flick perfect, this is somewhere that I need to work on for next time.

I was comfortable with Melburne, but I didn't feel confident at Goddards, another area that I need to work on.

I had a great day and continued to improve on the bike. The first few sessions were a disappointment, but as the day improved the poor start was soon forgotten. I didn't touch any suspension setting today, leaving the bike as it was the last time out at Oulton, to be honest everything felt pretty good so why mess around! I was struggling at the slower left handers so I need to think about this for next time.

Flamingo Land Camping

Finlay by the Dragon Coaster

Half term holiday for the kids and a last chance to set off in the van before the poor weather! We arrived on Friday night, in the dark. Once in the camping ground we drove near to a water tap to fill our water tank, only to get stuck in a bog. I filled up the tank, but we couldn't move. Andrea wasn't too happy, but we were sort of on a camping pitch.

Frog Hopper - Say No More!

Saturday dawned, and the weather looked hopeful, some cloud but blue sky and sunshine. We soon got help to drag the van out of the mud and parked on hard standing.

We spent the day in the Theme Park, both Jack and Finlay enjoyed the smaller Roller Coasters - Dragon Coaster and Runaway Train

The Cycle Monorail

 Finlay found the swinging boat something he really liked, it was the biggest ride he was allowed to ride on, and he enjoyed the 'danger'!

Jack was initially a bit worried about the rides he can now go on, but managed to go on the Wild Mouse. Once he got a little more confident he soon graduated to the Corkscrew and then went on Mumbo Jumbo.

Andrea and me enjoyed the Kumali roller coaster, leaving the kids like a couple of orphans while we queued!

When the park quietened down we went up to the Coach House for a drink. The kids loved the Pirate ship and the Tree house play area.

Up close and scary.

On Sunday we spent more time at the Zoo, the Tiger area is pretty good for watching the tigers strut around showing off.

We ended up getting wet through on the Lost River Ride.Had a pizza for tea and then spent a couple of hours in the arcade playing on the 2p shove machines.

Finlay - Look no hands.

Monday morning and we had a last look around, everyone went on the rides they enjoyed best. After lunch we set off home, stopping at Eden Camp on the way, Andrea and me enjoyed it but the kids were't interested and got board.

This will probably be the last time we go camping this year. Cleaned up the van when we got home and put the cover over it to keep the muck and weather off it.

Finlay The Beaver

Finlay The Beaver

Tonight Finlay was invested into the 18th Queensbury Beaver Scouts. He's been going for a couple of months. Straight away he loved it. I think for Finlay it feels like when he first started pre-school, play based activities. I wish he concentrated as hard at school!

It was a big deal for him to get his necker and woggle. Jack has been in Cubs since earlier this year and Finlay wanted to do all the cool things that Jack has been doing.

So each week he enthusiastically gets involved with all the activities and comes home with lots of excited stories of what he's been up to. I hope he's always this easy to please.

Jacks Birthday - Snowtubing

Jack, Adam and Ethan

Jack wanted to do something different for his Birthday, he's been to many parties at Laser Zone, 10 Pin Bowling or Roller Skating at the YMCA, he ended up deciding to go 'Snowtubing' at the Halifax Ski and Snowboard Centre.


Basically he invited some of his mates to have a go on the Ski Slope, instead of having to learn how to balance on either Skis or a snowboard they 'sledge' down  the slopes using inflatables!

Finlay

The weather way pretty poor, low clouds and rain, however the kids didn't mind. The first 15 minutes were spent on the learner slope, and everyone got used the routine. It was then time to go on the big slope, all the kids really enjoyed the faster ride. The instructors were really good with everyone, and sending them spinning, or in twos or threes to keep them entertained.

Soon it was time to go back inside and have a typical party tea, Chips beans and Chicken Nuggets. Ice cream to finish and then time for home.

Gargrave Camping



Gargrave

The weather had been good all week, so we set off on Friday with hope of a busy outdoor weekend. We'd arrived on Friday at tea time and we're soon camped up, we went for a walk on the Canal and relaxed in the warm evening sunshine.


Jack and Finlay on the Canal

Saturday morning and we decided to ride the bikes down to Skipton, along the canal. It's about 4 and a half miles and we were soon making good progress. On the way we stopped for a rest and threw bread for a swan who soon came right over to us and pecked the kids feet!

In Skipton we walked around, the good weather had brought out hundreds of people and the town was busy, we walked around the shops and went into the Museum at the Town Hall. Kids conned us into getting them toys, nothing new here!!

We did 4 Geocaches on the canal while travelling back to the camp site, Jack and Finlay are dab hands at knowing what a hidden Geocache looks like, so we had no trouble finding them.

In the evening we walked to to the Anchor Pub and had a meal, everything was taking ages to arrive, even ordering a drink look time, lots of people we're grumbling at the poor service. The kids didn't notice however, they  were playing outside and running around keeping busy.

The evening news announced that it had been the hottest October day every recorded.

Stepping Stones

Sunday morning brought some rain, me and the kids helped several boats through the lock behind the camp site, we went down into the village and had a walk by the river with the dog, using the stepping stones to ford the river kept the kids entertained, they also climbed a couple of trees, typical little kids.

We'd had a great weekend and got away from the weekly grind, the weather was brilliant for this time of year, so a great result.